Juul gets OK to sell updated vaping device with age-gating technology

On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Juul Labs permission to sell its new Juul2 e-cigarette device along with flavored pods, including tobacco and menthol varieties. The privately held vapor company had submitted a comprehensive application containing tens of thousands of pages of scientific evidence in 2023.

The FDA's review revealed that a significant portion of adult smokers successfully switched from traditional cigarettes to the authorized Juul2 products. Among those using the tobacco-flavored pods, 19.9% to 34.6% quit smoking entirely within six weeks, while 28.4% to 49.3% of menthol-flavored pod users achieved the same outcome.

The Juul2 device provides a more consistent vapor and nicotine delivery experience, competing with combustible cigarettes. Its advanced thermal technology, Pod ID chip to prevent counterfeit pods, and smartphone app for users 21 and older, which tracks device usage, were key features. The authorized pods contain a nicotine concentration of 18 mg/mL, equivalent to 1.5% to 1.6%.

Juul Labs manufactures and fills Juul2 pods in facilities in Tennessee and Wisconsin, using e-liquids produced in Maryland. The FDA deemed the benefits to adult smokers outweighed the risks associated with the menthol-flavored product, such as its appeal to youth. Juul Labs received FDA authorization for its original Juul System in July 2025, making it the sole major U.S.-based vapor company that isn't owned or invested in by a cigarette manufacturer.